Panasonic Corporation and Sanyo Electric have started formal discussions that could lead to Panasonic acquiring Sanyo. A possible deal could be concluded by the end of December, 2008, the companies stated. The companies claimed that direct synergies between the two companies meant that the deal was highly likely.
Blue Square Energy (BSE) announced its production of a 14.6 percent efficiency solar cell using its Bright Point technology. The result is the highest on upgraded metallurgical grade (UMG) silicon and was verified independently by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).
Working together since 2005, S.A.G. Solarstrom AG and Yingli Green Energy, have confirmed the signing of a contract between the two companies in regards to solar modules. Yingli will supply solar modules with a total output of 36.8MW to Solarstrom starting in 2009. Solarstrom in turn will procure further modules from Yingli at short notice on a purchase option basis.
Sunways AG has announced that Roland Burkhardt (pictured), CEO and founder of the company, will pass his position of CEO and Sunways strategic and operational management to CFO Michael Wilhelm, effective 1 January 2009. Wilhelm will oversee the finance and strategy areas in his new position, while Burkhardt will take over the technology and R&D division.
Dyesol recently opened its newest facility in Shotton, North Wales only a few weeks after its Australian materials manufacturing and equipment design and assembly facility was unveiled. The new photovoltaic accelerator facility is a continuation of the partnership between Dyesol and Corus to step up the commercialisation of Dye Solar Cell (DSC) technology onto steel sheeting building products.
Shuichi Fujii has been designated by Dow Corning as Global Major Market Leader for Feedstock and Active Device Products in its Solar Market Business Unit. He will also be the Solar Market Business Unit leader for Dow Corning Toray Co., Ltd., which is a joint venture between Dow Corning and Toray Industries.
Oerlikon Solar recently chose Robert Gattereder for the newly created position of Senior VP New Business where he will be expanding the business opportunities for the company. He brings over 15 years of operational experience with global industrial companies and has held senior management positions in finance, procurement, marketing and business development in the solar industry and industrial infrastructure.
SolFocus has been awarded a contract worth $103 million to supply more than 10MW of its CPV modules to EMPE Solar for project to be deployed in Spain through 2010. According to the company, the new project will be the the largest deployment of CPV technology in Europe, and will be capable of meeting the domestic energy requirements for a city of approximately 40,000 residents. SolFocus recently completed two utility-scale CPV projects (3MW total) for the Institute of Concentration Photovoltaic Systems (ISFOC) in Spain.
Nabeel Gareeb, President and Chief Executive Officer of MEMC resigned his executive position and seat on the Board of the major polysilicon supplier to the semiconductor and photovoltaics industries. Gareeb will assist in a transition through the end of 2008, while Board member Marshall Turner will serve as interim CEO, effective November 12, 2008. The search for a permanent replacement for Gareeb will be conducted during this period.
Sixtron has recently announced the selection of Bates M. Marshall as Vice President for Sales and Marketing, beginning immediately. Marshall carries with him near 15 years of sales and marketing experience in the semiconductor, solar, flat panel display and related markets.
